President-elect widens circle of candidates for top diplomatic job and will interview more prospects
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Exxon Mobil Corp. CEO Rex Tillerson at an event in June 2012. If named secretary of state, Mr. Tillerson could leverage existing relationships with numerous world leaders, including Mr. Putin, with whom he has had close dealings for more than a decade.ENLARGE
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Exxon Mobil Corp. CEO Rex Tillerson at an event in June 2012. If named secretary of state, Mr. Tillerson could leverage existing relationships with numerous world leaders, including Mr. Putin, with whom he has had close dealings for more than a decade. PHOTO: MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV/RIA-NOVOSTI/ASSOCIATED PRESS

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By CAROL E. LEE and PETER NICHOLAS – WASHINGTON— President-elect Donald Trump is widening the circle of candidates for secretary of state and will interview more prospects this week, transition officials said, a sign that after multiple meetings with high-profile hopefuls he still isn’t sold on who he wants as the nation’s top diplomat.

Though Mr. Trump’s transition team said last week that the search had narrowed to four finalists, new candidates have emerged, including Rex Tillerson, chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil Corp., one transition adviser said.

Alan Jeffers, an Exxon spokesman, declined to comment.

A final decision by Mr. Trump could come by week’s end, the adviser said.